I debated on whether to post this or not. But figured itís always a good message to remind us not to take life for granted:

My Dad is 74 years old. He and three other guys used to fish together a lot. Several years ago the next to the youngest of the group had a stroke and he had quite a lot of deficits from the stroke so he canít go with them anymore. The youngest of the group went through some business problems that he overcame and sold off a company he owned, the downside was he took employment with a company and now hardly has any time to go anymore.

The oldest of the group was 82 years old. George was a great guy and him and my dad especially enjoyed fishing together as much as they could. In our area of Florida that last couple years havenít been all that great for the speck (crappie) fishing. They went a couple weeks ago and caught a good many and had a great time. They were going to catch enough to have a fish fry for Georgeís 83rd birthday coming up next month.

Last Monday they went again and caught a good many again. Upon return to Georgeís home they stopped by Georges pond in the back yard and threw in a few of the smaller oneís that they had caught. Now this pond isnít a big pond and it has a liner in it. I have never seen a pond with a liner but Dad said that it was in the pond when George bought the property. The liner comes out on shore about 2 foot all the way around it.

After throwing the smaller fish in they proceeded about 50 feet away to Georgeís shed and mancave and my dad started scaling the fish. George took one of the smaller fish they had missed and told Dad he was going to throw it in the pond. Dad said he didnít pay much attention as he was still busy scaling fish. Next thing he hears is George calling for help. He goes over to the pond and George had fell in. My dad started to jump in to try to save him, but George told him not to and said if he did they would both drown, which after it was all said and done George was right. He told my dad to get a rope or something. So my dad goes and could only find a piece of water hose about ten feet long and goes back and throws it to George. Dad told me George got hold of it but almost as soon as he did he weakened and let go and went under. Dad called 911 and it took rescuers about 10 or 12 minutes to get there.

I think itís safe to say that in northeast Florida we donít think about cold water much, but we have had some very cold temps for a couple weeks and the water temp was a lot lower than normal and I believe it sapped Georgeís strenght, plus the fact that the liner was very slick with algae as well making it almost impossible to get out on his own.

I had gotten off that morning at 8 am and my paramedic partner worked overtime that day and he was the paramedic that responded. They got George out in about 80 seconds after their arrival. My partner told me that almost immediately after jumping in his hands went numb and his muscles started cramping. He is only 28 years old and in good shape. He had to be helped out after the other responders pulled George out from him. George was in cardiac arrest and obviously unresponsive.

They were able to get him back and flew him by helicopter to Shands Jax. We thought he may have a good chance because after they got him back and tubed him he was bucking the tube and tried to sit up on the stretcher.

About 2 hours after arrival at Shands George succumbed. My dad says he isnít beating himself up but I know better. I know I would. But the fact is my dad is 74 years old and has some physical limitations as well so he did as much as he could do without drowning himself. He told me he did go in up to his knees so I feel that itís a miracle that he didnít drown.

Georgeís wife displayed so much grace and love it was amazing. She called me the next morning to let me know that she has Dadís phone. She was very concerned about Dad and told me that although obviously she wasnít glad it had happened, but that she was grateful that George and my Dad got the spend Georgeís last day fishing together because that is what George loved to do.

I said all that to sayt this: Remember and letís let our loved oneís and friends know how much we love and cherish them brothers.

Many of you on this board I have never met face to face but I have come to cherish and love yall.

Greg that is a heart breaking story. You are so correct about living every day and expressing love for one another like it's your last. I'm sorry for your Dad's lose and grateful he stayed out of danger. Thank you for sharing that story.

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"You stink like cigars Uncle Kitty!" Said my Boo age 3.
"Kid, take care of your family and the hell with anyone else" My Grandpa Bubba.